Courses

101, 102 Beginning Japanese

Content: Introduction to and development of basic language skills with emphasis on overall communication proficiency. Vocabulary, sentence structure, aural comprehension. Ability to function in everyday-life situations in Japan. Contemporary Japanese culture introduced in context of language learning.

Prerequisite: None. Must be taken in sequence.

Taught: Annually, 4 semester credits each.

201, 202 Intermediate Japanese

Content: Continuing work on basic language skills. Oral and written exercises, mastery of more complex sentence structures, expanding vocabulary. Contemporary Japanese culture introduced in context of language learning.

Prerequisite: Japanese 102 or equivalent. Must be taken in sequence.

Taught: Annually, 4 semester credits each.

230, 231 Introduction to Japanese Literature in Translation

Content: Themes central to Japanese literature. English translations of fiction from all periods: from Heian court texts to postmodern novels. Lectures, discussions, student essays, and supplementary background readings on broader social, cultural, and historical contexts of Japanese literature. The 231 option for the course entails extra readings and assignments on the theories and methodologies for literary and cultural analysis. The 230 and 231 options cannot be taken simultaneously. Taught in English; no background in Japanese language or literature required.

Prerequisite: None.

Taught: Alternate years, 4 semester credits. May be taken twice for credit if the topic is different.

251, 252 Japanese Conversation

Contents: Expansion of vocabulary and idioms, polishing pronunciation, and correcting faulty grammar through oral drills and exercises. Students improve their listening comprehension through audio and video materials and develop confidence in using the language through guided discussions based on brief readings, tapes, films, or assigned current topics.

Prerequisite: Japanese 201 or consent of instructor.

Taught: Annually, 2 semester credits each. Both courses may be taken twice for credit or taken in sequence for a maximum of 4 credits, credit-no credit

290, 291 Topics in Japanese Literature in Translation

Content: English translations focusing on literary genre (poetry, prose, fiction, drama), period (medieval, premodern, modern, contemporary), and/or theme (aesthetics, storytelling, nature, community, power, gender, sexuality). Lectures, discussions, student essays, and background readings on literary, cultural, historical, philosophical, religious, social background of works studied. Topics vary from year to year. The 291 option for the course entails extra readings and assignments on the theories and methodologies for literary and cultural analysis. The 290 and 291 options cannot be taken simultaneously. Taught in English; no background in Japanese language or literature required.

Prerequisite: None.

Taught: Alternate years, 4 semester credits. With consent of instructor, may be taken twice for credit.

310 Readings and Composition in Japanese

Content: Oral expression, listening comprehension, reading, writing. Expository and creative writing, syntax, idiomatic usage emphasized to promote fluency. Review and consolidation of grammar and vocabulary learned in previous years, expansion of structural and idiomatic command. Readings in increasingly natural Japanese, including contemporary short stories and current newspaper and magazine articles. Short oral presentations, compositions, other exercises to build general language proficiency.

Prerequisite: Japanese 202 or equivalent, or consent of instructor.

Taught: Annually, 4 semester credits. With consent of instructor, may be taken twice for credit.

320 Readings and Composition in Japanese II

Content: Continued language study based on readings that address topics of cultural interest such as education, work, family, moral and intellectual values, history, popular culture, and current social issues. Emphasis on improving students’ ability to read and write Japanese. Content varies from year to year.

Prerequisite: Japanese 202 or equivalent, or consent of instructor. Japanese 310 recommended.

Taught: Annually, 4 semester credits. With consent of instructor, may be taken twice for credit.

410 Advanced Readings in Japanese: Society and Culture

Content: Advanced readings in Japanese to familiarize students with a range of written styles. Emphasis on vocabulary, reading, writing, new kanji. Excerpts from contemporary works, including newspaper and magazine articles, short stories, literary essays, as well as works analyzing Japanese society, culture, customs. Expository and creative writing exercises. Topics vary from year to year.

Prerequisite: Japanese 320 or equivalent, or consent of instructor.

Taught: Annually, 4 semester credits. With consent of instructor, may be taken twice for credit.

420 Advanced Readings in Japanese: Fiction and Non-Fiction

Content: Advanced readings in Japanese fiction and nonfiction to familiarize students with a range of literary styles. Excerpts from contemporary writers, which may include essays and short fiction from Kawakata, Murakami, Tanizaki, others. Emphasis on close reading, analytical writing, detailed discussion of the texts. Topics vary from year to year.

Prerequisite: Japanese 320 or equivalent.

Taught: Annually, 4 semester credits. With consent of instructor, may be taken twice for credit.

444 Japanese Practicum

Content: Advanced Japanese language students lead beginning and intermediate students in conversation groups and in discussions of Japanese culture, including instructional films.